The pressor response to voluntary and electrically evoked isometric contractions in man

Blood pressure and heart rate changes during sustained isometric exercise were studied in 11 healthy male volunteers. The responses were measured during voluntary and involuntary contractions of the biceps brachii at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and the triceps surae at 30% and 50% MVC. Involuntary contractions were evoked by percutaneous electrical stimulation of the muscle. Measurements of the time to peak tension of maximal twitch showed the biceps brachii (67.0 +/- 7.9 ms) muscle to be rapidly contracting, and the triceps surae (118.0 +/- 10.5 ms) to be slow contracting. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased linearly throughout the contractions, and systolic blood pressure increased more rapidly than diastolic. There was no significant difference in response to stimulated or voluntary contractions, nor was there any significant difference between the responses to contractions of the calf or arm muscles at the same relative tension. In contrast the heart rate rose to a higher level (P less than 0.01) in the biceps brachii than the triceps surae at given % MVC, and during voluntary compared with the electrically evoked contractions in the two muscle groups. It was concluded that the arterial blood pressure response to isometric contractions, unlike heart rate, is primarily due to a reflex arising within the active muscles (cf. Hultman and Sj?holm 1982) which is associated with relative tension but independent of contraction time and muscle mass.     

The effects of long-term simulated microgravity on neuromuscular performance in men and women

The effects are reported of prolonged exposure to simulated microgravity (strict bed rest in an antiorthostatic position -6 degrees head-down tilt, HDT) on voluntary and electrically evoked contractions of the triceps surae muscle in men (n = 6) and women (n = 4). The subjects served as their own controls. Bed rest is a model that has commonly been used to simulate spaceflight. Measurements made in the control condition (10-8 days before the beginning of HDT) and after 120-days of HDT (on the 3rd day after it ended) included examination of the properties of isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), isometric twitch contractions (Pt) and tetanic contractions (Po). After HDT, the MVC decreased by means of 44% and 33%, P, by means of 36% and 11%, Po by means of 34% and 24%, in the men and the women, respectively. The difference between Po and MVC, expressed as a percentage of Po and referred to as force deficiency (FD), has also been calculated. The FD increased by means of 60% and 28.8% in the men and the women, respectively. Time-to-peak tension of the triceps surae muscle increased by means of 12% and 14% in the men and the women, respectively, but half-relaxation time decreased by means of 9% and 19%. Total contraction time increased by a mean of 23% in the men and decreased by a mean of 17% in the women. Force-velocity of properties of the triceps surae muscle calculated according to a relative scale of voluntary contraction development significantly decreased more in the women than the men. The calculations of the same properties of electrically evoked contraction development did not differ substantially from the initial physiological state. It can be concluded that not only were the contractile properties of the triceps surae muscle significantly different in the men and the women, but that the effects of exposure to simulated microgravity on these properties were also different. These differences may be explained by sex differences in the muscle tissue itself and in its maximal neural activation.     

Effect of ankle joint position and electrode placement on the estimation of the antagonistic moment during maximal plantarflexion.

During maximal efforts, antagonistic activity can significantly influence the joint moment. During maximal voluntary "isometric" contractions, certain joint rotation can not be avoided. This can influence the estimation of the antagonistic moment from the EMG activity. Our study aimed to quantify the influence on the calculated agonistic moment produced during maximal voluntary isometric plantarflexions (a) when estimating antagonistic moments at different ankle angles and (b) when placing the EMG electrodes at different portions over the m. tibialis anterior. Ten subjects performed maximal voluntary isometric plantarflexions at 90 degrees ankle angle. In order to estimate the antagonistic moment, submaximal isometric dorsiflexions were performed at various ankle angles. Moment and EMG signals from mm. triceps surae and tibialis anterior were measured. The RMS differences between plantarflexors moment calculated considering the antagonistic cocontraction estimated at the same ankle angle at which the maximal plantarflexion moment was achieved and at different ankle angles ranged from 0.10 to 2.94 Nm. The location of the electrodes led to greater RMS differences (2.35-5.18 Nm). In conclusion, an angle 10 degrees greater than the initial plantarflexion angle is enough to minimize the effect of the change in length of the m. tibialis anterior during the plantarflexion on the estimation of the plantarflexors moment. The localisation of the electrodes over the m. tibialis anterior can influence the estimation of its cocontraction during maximal plantarflexion efforts.     

Amplitude and spectral characteristics of biceps Brachii sEMG depend upon speed of isometric force generation.

In the present study the influence of speed of contraction on the interplay between recruitment and firing rate of motor units (MUs) was assessed. The surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal was recorded in nine healthy subjects from the right biceps brachii using a linear electrode array during ramp isometric contractions (from 0 to 100% of the maximal voluntary force, MVC) at 5, 10, and 20% MVC s(-1) (ramp phase), followed by 10 s of sustained MVC (hold phase). The median frequency (MDF), Root Mean Square (RMS) and conduction velocity (CV) of sEMG, were computed on adjacent epochs covering a force range of 5% MVC each. Full motor unit recruitment (FMUR) point was assessed as the force level at which MDF reached its maximum value; the MDF decay during the hold phase was taken as an index of localized muscle fatigue. At 5% MVC s(-1), FMUR was reached at 52.3% MVC. At 10%MVC s(-1) FMUR was achieved at 58% MVC; while at 20% MVC s(-1) FMUR point was located at 77% MVC, being statistically different from 5 and 10% MVCs(-1) ramps (p<0.05). The MDF decay was steeper at higher speed. CV modifications mirrored those reported for MDF. The RMS increased in a curvilinear fashion and the maximum value was always attained during the hold phase. Our findings suggest that MU recruitment strategies are significantly related to the speed of contraction even in a single muscle.     

Myoelectric manifestations of fatigue in voluntary and electrically elicited contractions

The time course of muscle fiber conduction velocity and surface myoelectric signal spectral (mean and median frequency of the power spectrum) and amplitude (average rectified and root-mean-square value) parameters was studied in 20 experiments on the tibialis anterior muscle of 10 healthy human subjects during sustained isometric voluntary or electrically elicited contractions. Voluntary contractions at 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and at 80% MVC with duration of 20 s were performed at the beginning of each experiment. Tetanic electrical stimulation was then applied to the main muscle motor point for 20 s with surface electrodes at five stimulation frequencies (20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 Hz). All subjects showed myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue consisting of negative trends of spectral variables and conduction velocity and positive trends of amplitude variables. The main findings of this work are 1) myoelectric signal variables obtained from electrically elicited contractions show fluctuations smaller than those observed in voluntary contractions, 2) spectral variables are more sensitive to fatigue than conduction velocity and the average rectified value is more sensitive to fatigue than the root-mean-square value, 3) conduction velocity is not the only physiological factor affecting spectral variables, and 4) contractions elicited at supramaximal stimulation and frequencies greater than 30 Hz demonstrate myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue greater than those observed at 80% MVC sustained for the same time.     

Reproducibility of surface EMG variables in isometric sub-maximal contractions of jaw elevator muscles.

The aims of this study were: (1) to develop and assess reproducibility of a new method for measuring masticatory force in the intercuspal position; (2) to test the reproducibility of surface EMG signal amplitude and spectral variables in constant force contractions of jaw elevator muscles and its dependency on inter-electrode distance. The study was performed on the masseter and temporalis anterior muscles of both sides of nine healthy volunteers. An intraoral compressive-force sensor was used to measure maximal voluntary contraction forces in the intercuspal position and to provide a visual feedback on sub-maximal forces to the subject. Three experimental sessions were performed in three days. In each session, three isometric contractions at 80% of the maximal force were sustained by the subjects for 30s. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of the maximal force measure was 71.9%. ICC of average rectified value and mean power spectral frequency of the EMG signal increased with inter-electrode distance, with values larger than 70% with 30 mm inter-electrode distance. It was concluded that surface EMG variables measured in isometric contractions of the jaw elevator muscles with the proposed force recording system show good reproducibility for clinical applications when a 30 mm inter-electrode distance is considered.     

Motor unit firing rates of the gastrocnemii during maximal brief steady-state contractions in humans

The human triceps surae (soleus, medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemii) is complex and important for posture and gait. The soleus exhibits markedly lower motor unit firing rates (MUFRs; ∼16 Hz) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) than other limb muscles, but this information is unknown for the MG and LG. During multiple visits, subjects performed a series of 5–7, ∼7-s plantar flexor MVCs with tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the MG and LG. During a separate testing session, another group of subjects performed submaximal isometric contractions at 25%, 50%, and 75% MVC with inserted fine-wires in the MG, LG and soleus. Maximum steady-state MUFRs for MG and LG (∼23 Hz) were not different, but faster than prior reports for the soleus. No differences between the three triceps surae components were detected for 25% or 50% MVC, but at 75% MVC, the MG MUFRs were 31% greater than soleus. The triceps surae exhibit similar torque modulation strategies at <75% MVC, but to achieve higher contraction intensities (>75% MVC) the gastrocnemii rely on faster rates to generate maximal torque than the soleus. Therefore, the MG and LG exhibit a larger range of MUFR capacities.     

High frequency vibration conditioning stimulation centrally reduces myoelectrical manifestation of fatigue in healthy subjects

ObjectiveVibration conditioning has been adopted as a tool to improve muscle force and reduce fatigue onset in various rehabilitation settings. This study was designed to asses if high frequency vibration can induce some conditioning effects detectable in surface EMG (sEMG) signal; and whether these effects are central or peripheral in origin.Design300 Hz vibration was applied for 30 min during 5 consecutive days, to the right biceps brachii muscle of 10 healthy males aged from 25 to 50 years. sEMG was recorded with a 16 electrode linear array placed on the skin overlying the vibrated muscle. The test protocol consisted of 30% and 60% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) as well as involuntary (electrically elicited) contractions before and after treatment.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found between PRE and POST vibration conditioning when involuntary stimulus-evoked contraction and 30% MVC were used. Significant differences in the initial values and rates of change of muscle fibre conduction velocity were found only at 60% MVC.Conclusions300 Hz vibration did not induce any peripheral changes as demonstrated by the lack of differences when fatigue was electrically induced. Differences were found only when the muscle was voluntarily fatigued at 60% MVC suggesting a modification in the centrally driven motor unit recruitment order, and interpreted as an adaptive response to the reiteration of the vibratory conditioning.     

Myoelectric changes in the triceps surae muscles under sustained contractions. Evidence for synergism

Synergistic behaviour of triceps surae muscles (medial gastrocnemius-MG, lateral gastrocnemius-LG, soleus-SOL) during sustained submaximal plantarflexions was investigated in this study. Six male subjects were asked to sustain an isometric plantar flexor effort to exhaustion at two different knee angles. Exhaustion was defined as the point when they could no longer maintain the required tension. The loads sustained at 0 and 120 degrees of knee flexion represented 50% and 36% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) respectively. MVC was measured at 0 degree knee flexion. During the contractions, electromyograms (EMG) from the surface of the triceps surae muscles were recorded. Changes in the synergistic behaviour of the triceps surae were assessed via partial correlations of the average EMG (AEMG) between three muscle combinations; MG/LG, MG/SOL, LG/SOL, and correlation between SOL/MG + LG and MG/SOL + LG. The latter combinations were based on either common fibre type or innervation properties. Two types of synergisms were identified: trade-off and coactivation. Trade-off and coactivation synergies were defined by significant (p less than 0.05) positive and negative correlations respectively. Coactivation synergism was found to occur predominantly under conditions of high load or reduced length of the triceps surae, and increased with the duration of the contraction. Trade-off synergism was evident when the muscles were at their optimum length and the loads sustained were submaximum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Residual force enhancement following eccentric induced muscle damage

During lengthening of an activated skeletal muscle, the force maintained following the stretch is greater than the isometric force at the same muscle length. This is termed residual force enhancement (RFE), but it is unknown how muscle damage following repeated eccentric contractions affects RFE. Using the dorsiflexors, we hypothesised muscle damage will impair the force generating sarcomeric structures leading to a reduction in RFE. Following reference maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC) in 8 young men (26.5±2.8y) a stretch was performed at 30°/s over a 30° ankle excursion ending at the same muscle length as the reference MVCs (30° plantar flexion). Surface electromyography (EMG) of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles was recorded during all tasks. The damage protocol involved 4 sets of 25 isokinetic (30°/s) lengthening contractions. The same measures were collected at baseline and immediately post lengthening contractions, and for up to 10min recovery. Following the lengthening contraction task, there was a 30.3±6.4% decrease in eccentric torque (P<0.05) and 36.2±9.7% decrease in MVC (P<0.05) compared to baseline. Voluntary activation using twitch interpolation and RMS EMG amplitude of the tibialis anterior remained near maximal without increased coactivation for MVC. Contrary to our hypothesis, RFE increased (～100-250%) following muscle damage (P<0.05). It appears stretch provided a mechanical strategy for enhanced muscle function compared to isometric actions succeeding damage. Thus, active force of cross-bridges is decreased because of impaired excitation-contraction coupling but force generated during stretch remains intact because force contribution from stretched sarcomeric structures is less impaired.     

Electrically evoked contractions of the triceps surae during and following 21 days of voluntary leg immobilization

The effects of 21 days voluntary leg (plaster) immobilization on the mechanical properties of the triceps surae have been studied in 11 young female subjects, mean age 19.4 years. The results show that during the period of immobilization the mean time to peak tension (TPT) and half relaxation time (1/2RT) and tension (Pt) of the maximal twitch increased significantly (p less than 0.001) but the effects were short lived. Maximal tension and contraction times of the twitch recovered within 2-14 days following the removal of the plaster cast. The electrically evoked tetanic tensions at 10 Hz and 20 Hz did not change significantly (P greater than 0.1) during immobilization, but the 50 Hz tetanic tension (Po50) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were reduced (p less than 0.05). The fall in Po50 and MVC was associated with 10% decrease in the estimated muscle (plus bone) cross-sectional area. The relative (%) change in Po50 and MVC following immobilization was related to the initial physiological status (as indicated by the response of the triceps surae to a standard fatigue test prior to immobilization) of the muscle. The rate of rise and recovery fall of the tetanus were slightly but significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced on day 7 of immobilization, but thereafter remained constant. The isokinetic properties of the triceps surae as reflected in the measured torque/velocity relation of the muscle in 4 subjects did not change significantly if account was taken of the slight degree of atrophy present following immobilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Manipulating vibratory devices’ orientation and position enhances proprioceptive disturbance during upright stance

We tested local vibration effects during upright standing considering: (i) the orientation of vibratory devices in relation to muscle fibres; (ii) the muscle region stimulated; and (iii) the number of stimulation spots. Results showed a higher balance disturbance with vibration devices oriented parallel to triceps surae muscle fibres. The single stimulation of the proximal region of the tibialis anterior muscle belly induces the same proprioceptive disturbance as stimulating multiple regions simultaneously.     

Wide-pulse-width, high-frequency neuromuscular stimulation: implications for functional electrical stimulation.

Electrical stimulation (1-ms pulses, 100 Hz) produces more torque than expected from motor axon activation (extra contractions). This experiment investigates the most effective method of delivering this stimulation for neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Surface stimulation (1-ms pulses; 20 Hz for 2 s, 100 Hz for 2 s, 20 Hz for 3 s) was delivered to triceps surae and wrist flexors (muscle stimulation) and to median and tibial nerves (nerve stimulation) at two intensities. Contractions were evaluated for amplitude, consistency, and stability. Surface electromyograph was collected to assess how H-reflexes and M-waves contribute. In the triceps surae, muscle stimulation produced the largest absolute contractions (23% maximal voluntary contraction), evoked the largest extra contractions as torque increased by 412% after the 100-Hz stimulation, and was more consistent and stable compared with tibial nerve stimulation. Absolute and extra contraction amplitude, consistency, and stability of evoked wrist flexor torques were similar between stimulation types: torques reached 11% maximal voluntary contraction, and extra contractions increased torque by 161%. Extra contractions were 10 times larger in plantar flexors compared with wrist flexors with muscle stimulation but were similar with nerve stimulation. For triceps surae, H reflexes were 3.4 times larger than M waves during nerve stimulation, yet M waves were 15 times larger than H reflexes during muscle stimulation. M waves in the wrist flexors were larger than H reflexes during nerve (8.5 times) and muscle (18.5 times) stimulation. This is an initial step toward utilizing extra contractions for neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the first to demonstrate their presence in the wrist flexors.     

Muscle weakness following sustained and rhythmic isometric contractions in man

The effects of sustained and rhythmically performed isometric contractions on electrically evoked twitch and tetanic force generation of the triceps surae have been investigated in 4 healthy male subjects. The isometric contractions were performed separately and on different occasions at 30%, 60% and 100% of the force of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The area under the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force/time curve during the rhythmic and sustained contractions was the same for each experiment. The results showed that following rhythmic isometric exercise there was a small decrease in low (10 and 20 Hz) and high (40 Hz) frequency tetanic tension which was associated with % MVC. However, there was no change in the 20/40 ratio of tetanic forces, MVC or the contraction times and force of the maximal twitch. In contrast, following sustained isometric exercise tetanic forces were markedly reduced, particularly at low frequencies of stimulation. The 20/40 ratio decreased and the induced muscle weakness was greater at 30% than 60% or 100% MVC. The performance of sustained isometric contractions also effected a decrease in contraction time of the twitch and MVC. The results are in accord with previous findings for dynamic work (Davies and White 1982), and show that if isometric exercise is performed rhythmically the effect on tetanic tensions is small and there is no evidence of a preferential loss of electrically evoked force at either high or low frequencies of stimulation following the contractions. For sustained contractions, however, the opposite is true, the ratio of 20/40 Hz forces is markedly reduced and following 30% sustained MVC there is a significant (p less than 0.05) change in the time to peak tension (TPT) of the maximal twitch.     

Mechanical properties of the triceps surae tendon and aponeurosis in relation to intensity of sport activity

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the mechanical properties (i.e. force strain relationship) of the triceps surae tendon and aponeurosis relate to the performed sport activity in an intensity-dependent manner. This was done by comparing sprinters with endurance runners and subjects not active in sports. Sixty-six young male subjects (26+/-5 yr; 183+/-6 cm; 77.6+/-6.7 kg) participated in the study. Ten of these subjects were adults not active in sports, 28 were endurance runners and 28 sprinters. All subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary plantar flexion contractions (MVC) on a dynamometer. The distal aponeuroses of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) was visualised by ultrasound during the MVC. The results showed that only the sprinters had higher normalised stiffness (relationship between tendon force and tendon strain) of the triceps surae tendon and aponeurosis and maximal calculated tendon forces than the endurance runners and the subjects not active in sports. Furthermore, including the data of all 66 examined participants tendon stiffness correlated significantly (r=0.817, P<0.001) with the maximal tendon force achieved during the MVC. It has been concluded that the mechanical properties of the triceps surae tendon and aponeurosis do not show a graded response to the intensity of the performed sport activity but rather remain at control level in a wide range of applied strains and that strain amplitude and/or frequency should exceed a given threshold in order to trigger additional adaptation effects. The results further indicate that subjects with higher muscle strength possibly increase the margin of tolerated mechanical loading of the tendon due to the greater stiffness of their triceps surae tendon and aponeurosis.     

Effect of different ankle- and knee-joint positions on gastrocnemius medialis fascicle length and EMG activity during isometric plantar flexion

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence on the fact that the observed decrease in EMG activity of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) at pronounced knee flexed positions is not only due to GM insufficiency, by examining muscle fascicle lengths during maximal voluntary contractions at different positions. Twenty-two male long distance runners (body mass: 78.5+/-6.7 kg, height: 183+/-6 cm) participated in the study. The subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary plantar flexion contractions (MVC) of their left leg at six ankle-knee angle combinations. To examine the resultant ankle joint moments the kinematics of the left leg were recorded using a Vicon 624 system with 8 cameras operating at 120 Hz. The EMG activity of GM, gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) were measured using surface electromyography. Synchronously, fascicle length and pennation angle values of the GM were obtained at rest and at the plateau of the maximal plantar flexion using ultrasonography. The main findings were: (a) identifiable differences in fascicle length of the GM at rest do not necessarily imply that these differences would also exist during a maximal isometric plantar flexion contraction and (b) the EMG activity of the biarticular GM during the MVC decreased at a pronounced flexed knee-joint position (up to 110 degrees ) despite of no differences in GM fascicle length. It is suggested that the decrease in EMG activity of the GM at pronounced knee flexed positions is due to a critical force-length potential of all three muscles of the triceps surae.     

Effects of joint angle and age on ankle dorsi- and plantar-flexor strength.

This study aimed at examining the effects of joint angle and age on the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, for the agonist and antagonist muscle groups around the ankle, i.e., the dorsi- and plantar-flexors. To this aim, neural and muscular factors were investigated in two groups of healthy men: 11 young (mean age, 24 years) and 18 older (mean age, 78 years). Plantar-flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) isometric MVC torques were measured in three different ankle joint angles and surface electromyographic activities of the triceps surae and of the tibialis anterior muscles were recorded. The main findings were that the DF-to-PF MVC torque ratio varied with joint angle and age, indicating that aging affected at different rates the two muscle groups: this ratio was always higher in older adults because of the PF strength decline with aging. Furthermore, the DF MVC torque-angle relationship appeared to be especially explained by neural factors, whereas the relationship in PF seemed to be mainly due to muscular parameters. These relationships would not be a discriminating factor between the two age groups. As a consequence, measurements at one ankle joint angle, whatever the angle, are thus enough to examine the differences within age groups and to perform a rapid assessment of the imbalance at the ankle joint.     

Changes in fascicle length from rest to maximal voluntary contraction affect the assessment of voluntary activation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the differences between the actual fascicle length during a voluntary contraction and the fascicle length at rest of the triceps surae muscle on the determination of the voluntary activation (VA) by using the interpolated twitch technique. Twelve participants performed isometric voluntary maximal (MVC) and submaximal (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVC) contractions at two different ankle angles (75 degrees and 90 degrees ) under application of the interpolated twitch technique. Two ultrasound probes were used to determine the fascicle length of soleus, gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles. Further, the MVCs and the twitches were repeated for six more ankle angles (85 degrees , 95 degrees , 100 degrees , 105 degrees , 110 degrees and 115 degrees ). The VA of the triceps surae muscle were calculated (a) using the rest twitch force (RTF) measured during the same trial as the interpolated twitch force (ITF; traditional method) and (b) using the RTF at an ankle angle where the fascicle length showed similar values between ITF and RTF (fascicle length consideration method). The continuous changes in fascicle length from rest to MVC affect the accuracy of the assessment of the VA. The traditional method overestimates the assessment of the VA on average 4% to 12%, especially at 90 degrees ankle angle (i.e. short muscle length). The reason for this influence is the unequal force-length potential of the muscle at twitch application by the measure of ITF and RTF. These findings provide evidence that the fascicle length consideration method permits a more precise prediction (an improvement of 4-12%) of the voluntary contraction compared to the traditional method.     

Selective recruitment of the triceps surae muscles with changes in knee angle

The muscles of the triceps surae group are important for performance in most sports and in the performance of activities of daily life. In addition, hypertrophy and balance among these muscles are integral to success in bodybuilding. The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle utilization patterns of the 2 major muscles of the triceps surae group, the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (lateral head = LG and medial head = MG), and the tibialis anterior (TA) as an antagonist muscle to the group. Their electromyographic (EMG) signals were compared during 50 constant external resistance contractions at a level established before the testing session. Eleven experienced subjects contributed data during plantar flexion at 3 different knee angles (90, 135, and 180 degrees ). Both root mean square amplitude and integrated signal analyses of the EMGs revealed that the MG produced significantly greater activity than either the SOL or TA at 180 degrees, whereas the LG was not different from the SOL at any knee angle measured. Data also revealed that the SOL produced less electrical activity at 180 degrees than at the other knee angles, whereas the MG produced greater electrical activity. As would be expected, the TA produced lower EMG values than any of the triceps surae muscles at all angles tested. These data indicate that selective targeting of the SOL and MG is possible through the manipulation of knee angle. This targeting appears to be controlled by the biarticular and monoarticular structures of the MG and SOL, respectively. The LG appears less affected by knee position than the MG. Results suggest that the SOL can be targeted most effectively with the knee flexed at 90 degrees and the MG with the leg fully extended. The LG appears to also be more active at 180 degrees; however, it is not as affected as the MG or SOL by knee angle.     

Repeatability of surface EMG parameters at various isometric contraction levels and during fatigue using bipolar and Laplacian electrode configurations.

The objective of this work was to assess the repeatability of two surface electromyographic (sEMG) recording techniques, the classical bipolar configuration and a Laplacian configuration to document their ability to provide reliable information during follow-up studies. The signals were recorded on 10 healthy subjects during voluntary isometric contractions of the biceps brachii muscle at different constant contraction levels. Slopes, area ratios (at 60% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) and initial values (at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% MVC) of the root mean square (RMS), the mean power frequency (MPF) and the muscle fibre conduction velocity (CV) were estimated. Experimental sessions were repeated on three different days with both electrode sets to evaluate the repeatability of sEMG parameter estimates. Classical results were observed, such as an increase in the RMS and the CV with the contraction level. Only initial values of RMS and MPF were shown to be dependent on electrode type. These two parameters presented intra-class correlation coefficient values higher than .80 for high contraction levels. On the whole, the repeatability of the measures was good; however it was better for all sEMG parameter estimates with bipolar electrodes than Laplacian electrodes. Because a bipolar configuration is less selective than a Laplacian one, it provides a global view of muscular activity, which is more repeatable, hence more suitable for follow-up studies.